Transgender DJ Stephanie Hirst returns to BBC radio a year after announcing her transition
Hirst disclosed plans to undergo gender reassignment surgery in 2014
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Your support makes all the difference.An award-winning DJ who underwent gender reassignment surgery to become a woman will be returning to radio.
Stephanie Hirst announced her new position as a host on BBC Radio Manchester in a post on Facebook, writing: “As of this Saturday at 10pm, I'll be hosting a 90s show on BBC Radio Manchester.
"#NothingButThe90s. I Can't wait!! (Yes, you will be able to listen it on the BBC iPlayer!)”
Hirst said she was “touched and moved” by the response she received after announcing her new role.
The 40-year-old was a presenter on Capital FM Yorkshire and Vinyl Heaven on Gold for 11 years and left her position amid claims she had been encouraged to leave.
Hirst disclosed her plans to undergo gender reassignment surgery on Stephen Nolan’s BBC Radio Five Live show last year.
The BBC quoted “numerous sources” as saying Hirst had been suspended by her bosses at Global Radio after informing them that she wanted to transition. However, Hirst, who has won three Sony awards, has always maintained she left the company following a mutual decision and insisted it had supported her decision to undergo gender re-assignment surgery.
The company said in a statement at the time: "Hirsty made the decision to take time out to focus on the process he was going through. We were sad to see Hirsty leave but we were happy to offer him our full support."
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